Moving Away From Home to Find a Job

Moving Away From Home to Find a Job

There is a really interesting book called “The Reckoning” by David Halberstam, which if you're interested in economic history with a focus on the car industry, especially the Ford and Nissan companies you should read.

One part of the book I found really interesting was about the recession in the early 1980's. In that chapter, Mr. Halberstam relates the story of a millwright that was laid off from a Ford plant for two years and couldn't find a decent job in all of that time. It mentions that the man could have moved to Texas to work in the oilfields like many other laid off workers, but hated the idea of leaving the home that he loved. Only after two years of being unemployed, and suffering depression, did he decide that he should leave home, at which point he was rehired by Ford.

Drastic Times Call for Drastic Action

Even in a good economy, people cannot always stay in the same town or city. Sometimes the wages might be too low, the jobs may not be good enough, or as is common today, the jobs may just not be available.

I love Northern Ontario, I grew up there. The environment is beautiful, prices are fairly low for most things, and for a person who loves the outdoors like I do, there are lots of things to do. But the economy is in a bad recession. Even 5 years ago, before the economic crisis, Northern Ontario was in bad shape. Factories, mills and mines were closing down, which made the other businesses in the area downsize or close down as well.

Having finished school as a History student, there was no chance I'd get a good job anywhere in the area. So I packed up my bags and moved to China.

I'll admit it was a big move, but with my education and desires, it was one of the best choices I could have made. My region didn't have any jobs, and the other places nearby, Southern Ontario and Manitoba, had nothing that I wanted.

For the man in “The Reckoning”, two years waiting for a job to turn up, was sheer foolishness. There were jobs available down south, he should have taken a chance.

Don't Just Hope For Change

I know that many people love the town or city they grew up in, or they want to stay near their family and friends. But you have to realize that working and supporting yourself is more important than memories.

My wife are in the final stages of planning our move to Canada, and the one time she mentioned living anywhere in Northern Ontario, I said no way. I didn't even hesitate. There are even less jobs there now then 5 years ago, and it's getting worse. I might be able to work through the internet, but my wife would be left jobless. Even opening up our own business would be pointless due to the terrible economy.

What you have to do is find out where the jobs are that you can do, are willing to do, and can actually get hired at. Don't just pick a spot on the map and take off, and don't head off to Toronto, New York or L.A. believing that since they're big cities they'll have jobs. Do your research, find out where you should move to, plan it out carefully, and then leave.

Remember, while moving from a place you love is hard, unemployment is worse. You can always return home for vacations and if the jobs come back.